New Cardiac CT technology to reduce radiation dose in patients

In a new study in the United States researchers have determined that use of the latest generation of CT technology checks the cardiac imaging, than using the standard spiral CT scan radiation reduction of 91 per cent.

"In recent years, due to coronary CT Angiography in assessing the possible diagnostic accuracy in patients with coronary heart disease is very high, in recent years has produced a great application," Colombia University Medical Center-medical and Clinical Assistant Professor of Radiology, Cardiac CT supervisor Andrew J. Einstein said, "but this enthusiasm to dilute the potential patients receive radiation dose.

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In CT Imaging process, the patient may receive radiation effects.

Many coronary CT Angiography check is passed 64-slice CT scanner, it can scan 4 cm at a time. The latest CT 320-detector CT scanners can scan 16 cm, that is, the entire length of the heart, in a rotation, and in a heartbeat.

Use standard 64-slice detectors as a baseline scan and optimize the volume of 320 line scan detector effective radiation dose reduction of 91% from 35.4mSv drops to 4.4mSv.

Dr. Einstein said, the most advanced CT technology enables the best image resolution, and through a variety of functions and scan mode low radiation doses, as well as according to the specific needs of individual patients as a basis for adjustment and adjustment of dose.

With the CT technology from 16-to 64-layer of development, a significant increase of radiation dose, is currently the technology development will be in the opposite direction, i.e. reducing the radiation.

Dr. Einstein, stressed that researchers need to seriously consider using the appropriate scanning modes to use minimal radiation dose to the patient the best diagnostic information.

This study was published in March 2010 Journal of Radiology.